You pay between 5.5% and 12.5% of the pensionable pay you receive. The rate you pay depends on which pay band you fall into.
Use the contributions calculator to find out your contribution rate based on your pensionable pay. The calculator shows the full rate of contributions in the main section or 50/50 section of the scheme. You can opt to move to the 50/50 section of the scheme. You pay half your contributions and build up half your pension. Find out about the 50/50 section
If you earn enough to pay tax, you receive tax relief on your pension contributions so you pay less tax.
From 1 April 2025 the pay bands and rates are:
| Actual annual pensionable pay for an employment | Main Section | 50/50 Section |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £17,800 | 5.5% | 2.75% |
| £17,801 to £28,000 | 5.8% | 2.90% |
| £28,001 to £45,600 | 6.5% | 3.25% |
| £45,601 to £57,700 | 6.8% | 3.40% |
| £57,701 to £81,000 | 8.5% | 4.25% |
| £81,001 to £114,800 | 9.9% | 4.95% |
| £114,801 to £135,300 | 10.5% | 5.25% |
| £135,301 to £203,000 | 11.4% | 5.70% |
| £203,001 or more | 12.5% | 6.25% |
From 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 the pay bands and rates are:
| Actual annual pensionable pay for an employment | Main Section | 50/50 Section |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £17,600 | 5.5% | 2.75% |
| £17,601 to £27,600 | 5.8% | 2.90% |
| £27,601 to £44,900 | 6.5% | 3.25% |
| £44,901 to £56,800 | 6.8% | 3.40% |
| £56,801 to £79,700 | 8.5% | 4.25% |
| £79,701 to £112,900 | 9.9% | 4.95% |
| £112,901 to £133,100 | 10.5% | 5.25% |
| £133,101 to £199,700 | 11.4% | 5.70% |
| £199,701 or more | 12.5% | 6.25% |
For example, if your actual pensionable pay is £14,000 a year, you pay a contribution rate of 5.5% in the main section or 2.75% in the 50/50 Section.
Examples
Full-time
You work full-time. You receive a whole time annual salary of £30,000. You pay a contribution rate of 6.5%.
Part-time
You work part-time. Your full-time annual salary is £30,000 and you work 25 hours a week. Your pensionable pay is £20,270.27 (£30,000 x 25 ÷ 37). You pay a contribution rate of 5.8%.
Part-time, term-time
You work part-time and term-time. Your full-time annual salary is £30,000. You work 20 hours a week for 44 weeks a year. Your pensionable pay is £13,721.41 (£30,000 x 20 ÷ 37 x 44 ÷ 52). You pay a contribution rate of 5.5%.
What your employer pays
Your employer pays towards the cost of your benefits in the scheme. Every 3 years an independent review (known as a triennial valuation) is undertaken. It calculates how much your employer should contribute. Your employer can tell you how much they pay. It does not impact the calculation of your pension. Find out about calculating your pension benefits
Review of bands and rates
The pay bands and rates are reviewed in line with each triennial valuation. It aims to maintain the average contribution from members at 6.5%.